Current Affairs Quiz — 12 February 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What was India's all-India CPI inflation for January 2026 in the first release on base 2024=100?
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Correct answer: C — 2.75%
Year-on-year CPI inflation for January 2026 was 2.75% (provisional) on the new base.
In the first CPI release on base 2024=100, food inflation (CFPI) for January 2026 was:
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Correct answer: B — 2.13%
All-India CFPI inflation was 2.13%; rural 1.96% and urban 2.44%.
How many divisions does the new CPI (2024=100) use, in line with COICOP 2018, in place of the earlier 6 groups?
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Correct answer: C — 12
The new series has 12 divisions in place of 6 groups, following COICOP 2018.
Consider the following statements about the item basket of the new CPI (2024=100): 1. Online media/streaming services and rural housing have been added. 2. Radio and tape recorders have been removed. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Streaming services, rural housing, pen drives and exercise equipment were added; radio, tape recorders, VCR/DVD players and second-hand clothing were removed.
What was the total value of proposals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council on 12 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — About ₹3.60 lakh crore
The DAC accorded AoN to proposals worth about ₹3.60 lakh crore.
Which aircraft was cleared as the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) for the IAF by the DAC on 12 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Rafale
The DAC cleared MRFA (Rafale) for the IAF, most of which will be manufactured in India.
Which aircraft did the DAC clear for the Indian Navy on 12 February 2026 for long-range anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance?
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Correct answer: D — P8I
AoN was cleared for P8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the Navy.
Consider the following statements about the DAC decisions of 12 February 2026: 1. The Defence Acquisition Council is chaired by the Raksha Mantri. 2. 'Vibhav', cleared for the Army, is an air defence missile system. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The DAC is chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. Vibhav is an anti-tank mine, to be laid as an obstacle against enemy mechanised forces.
What penalty did the CCI impose on Intel Corporation on 12 February 2026 over its India-specific warranty policy?
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Correct answer: B — ₹27.38 crore
The CCI imposed a penalty of ₹27.38 crore on Intel.
Intel was penalised by the CCI for contravening Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. What does Section 4 deal with?
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Correct answer: C — Abuse of dominant position
Section 4 prohibits abuse of dominant position. Section 3 covers anti-competitive agreements and Sections 5–6 cover combinations.
Which state received the largest share of the ₹3,324 crore XV FC untied grants released on 12 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh received ₹1,559.40 crore for all 75 district panchayats, 826 block panchayats and 57,694 gram panchayats.
Fifteenth Finance Commission untied grants to panchayats can be used for local needs under the subjects listed in which Schedule of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: A — Eleventh Schedule
Untied grants are used under the 29 subjects of the Eleventh Schedule, except salaries and establishment costs. The Twelfth Schedule lists municipal subjects.
Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, remembered by PM Modi on 12 February 2026, founded which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — Arya Samaj
Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj.
In which year did Dayanand Saraswati found the Arya Samaj?
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Correct answer: C — 1875
He founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 to counter the social inequities of the time.
What was the theme of National Productivity Week 2026, which began on NPC's 68th Foundation Day?
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Correct answer: D — Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs
The theme was 'Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs'.
Who is the Chairman of the National Productivity Council, as stated at its 68th Foundation Day?
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Correct answer: A — The Secretary, DPIIT
DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia is the Chairman of NPC.
Which fighter aircraft did the Royal Thai Air Force field in its in-situ exercise with the IAF in February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Saab Gripen
The RTAF flew Saab Gripen jets from bases in Thailand; the IAF flew Su-30MKI fighters.
From where did the IAF's participating forces operate during the February 2026 in-situ exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force?
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Correct answer: A — Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The IAF operated from airbases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, supported by IL-78 tankers and AWACS.
Consider the following statements about India–Thailand air force engagement: 1. In the February 2026 in-situ exercise, IAF IL-78 tankers enabled extended-range operations over the maritime domain. 2. 'Siam Bharat' is an India–Thailand exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. IL-78 tankers supported the IAF's extended-range flying, and Siam Bharat is listed among India's bilateral HADR exercises with Thailand.
How many blocks are offered in the second tranche of Exploration Licence auctions launched on 12 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 11
Tranche-II has 11 blocks of critical and deep-seated minerals across eight states.
The Exploration Licence regime for critical and deep-seated minerals was introduced through which law?
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Correct answer: B — MMDR Amendment Act, 2023
The EL regime was introduced under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, along with the Mineral (Auction) Amendment Rules, 2023.
For which service is the MoD's February 2026 contract with HAL for eight Dornier 228 aircraft?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Coast Guard
The eight Dornier 228 aircraft are for the Indian Coast Guard.
Which HAL division will supply the eight Dornier 228 aircraft under the ₹2,312 crore contract signed on 12 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur
The contract was signed with HAL's Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur.
In the BPaL regimen for drug-resistant TB, found cost-effective by an ICMR study in February 2026, 'P' stands for:
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Correct answer: D — Pretomanid
BPaL is bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid; BPaLM adds moxifloxacin.
With which Union Territory did the Ministry of Earth Sciences sign an MoU on blue economy and coastal resilience on 12 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Puducherry
The MoU was signed with the Government of Puducherry's Department of Science, Technology and Environment.
According to NITI Aayog's 'Technology Services – Reimagination Ahead' roadmap of February 2026, India's technology services sector can reach what size by 2035?
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Correct answer: B — $750–850 billion
The roadmap projects growth from about $265 billion to $750–850 billion by 2035.